The Ohio/Penn Dx PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1253
BID: $OPDX.1253
February 15, 2016
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, AB5K & the AR TelNet Clusters Network, K1XN & GoList, NJ1Q & W1AW, NG3K & ADXO, W3AWU, W3UR & The Daily DX, K4HQK, N4AA & QRZ DX, W4VQ, W5MJ, KK6EK, KL7JR, K8GG, K8GI, K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, NE9U, CX3AL?, DK8ZZ, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter, DL7VEE, DxCoffee.com, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, EA5RM, ES1CW, F5NQL, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, I1HYW, I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, I2MQP & DX Italia News, OK1MU, OZ6OM & 50 MHz DX News, RSGB IOTA Web Site, Sixitalia Weekly, SM6CVX, VA3RJ & ICPO, and VHF-DX-Portal (MMMonVHF) for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT
According to the AR-Cluster Network for the week of Sunday, 7th/February, through Sunday, 14th/February there were 237 countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3B9, 3D2, 3DA, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4S, 4U1I, 4W, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5R, 5T, 5U, 5V, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7P, 7Q, 7X, 8P, 8R, 9A, 9G, 9H, 9J, 9K, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9Q, 9V, 9Y, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY, C2, C3, C5, C6, CE, CE0Y, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, CY0, D2, D4, D6, DL, DU, E4, E5/s, E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, ET, EU, EX, EY, EZ, F, FG, FH, FJ, FK, FM, FO, FP, FR, FS, FW, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH, HI, HK, HK0/a, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J6, J7, J8, JA, JD/m, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K, KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, P4, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PJ5, PJ7, PY, PZ, S0, S2, S5, S9, SM, SP, SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T2, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TJ, TK, TN, TR, TU, TY, TZ, UA, UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V3, V4, V5, V6, V7, V8, VE, VK, VP2E, VP5, VP8, VP8/g, VP8/h, VP8/s, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XT, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU, YV, Z2, Z3, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZD8, ZF, ZL, ZP, ZS

PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work First Worry Later".

5J0, SAN ANDRES AND PROVIDENCIA ISLANDS
You only have a few more days to work Jean, VE2FDJ, who is now active as 5J0JC from Providencia Island (NA-049) until February 18th. Activity has been on 17/12 meters SSB. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

7P, LESOTHO
Only a few more days to work the members of F6KOP Amateur Radio Club now active as 7P8C from Lesotho. They will go QRT February 17th. Activity is on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. The team reported on Sunday [edited]: Yesterday we reached 30000 QSOs in the log, but we had to face a big storm and several antennas have been damaged by the heavy wind. We are currently repairing 2 spiderbeams... Working low bands is quite difficult as we have sometimes up to S9 of QRN. We'll try our best to be active on low bands as much as possible." QSL via F5GSJ or ClubLog's OQRS. NO eQSL. For more details and updates, see:

8P, BARBADOS
Tom, W2SC, will once again be active as 8P5A during the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as Single-Op/All- Band/High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW or direct to NN1N.

A3, TONGA (Update
Madison, W5MJ, reports on the latest release for their DXpedition to Tonga February 18-28th:

"The A35T DXpedition is now packed up and ready to go. We will have three stations running Elecraft K3 transceivers with a KX3 as a backup radio, two Elecraft KPA500 amps, an Expert Amp 1.3, three KIO hex beams 20 through 6, and four Spider- poles for the lower frequencies. We anticipate having our stations on 160-30 meters during night hours, and the hex beams for 20-6 meters during daylight hours. We hope to be able to provide Qs on 160 to EU to fill the great need for that band. Our operation is scheduled for February 18-28th, not the 24th as previously reported. Even though K5NA and K5DU will be tending to a family emergency and not able to make the trip, we hope to have guest op Hiro, A31MM, who recently moved to Tonga, joining us during our stay."

AAW 2016
Look for this year's 13th Antarctic Activity Week to take place between February 22-28th. Complete details and a list of participants is available on the WAP Web site at:

ADDED NOTE ABOUT SPECIAL AAW SPAIN STATIONS:
Josè, EA5FL, informs that a Special Radio Award will be issued by URE to those Hams/SWLs who will work (or hear) the Spanish Special Event stations during the 13th AAW. Look for the following Spanish AAW stations: AO3ANT (WAP-266), AO4HAG (WAP-242), AO5WAP (WAP-272), EG1PAA (WAP-273), EG5WAP (WAP-268) and EH5WAP (WAP-267). The Award Manager is EA5DM and his E-mail is ea5dm@ure.es

All 6 stations will have info about the Award on QRZ.com. The Spanish Special Event stations will be active on the HF bands. The Special Diploma will be sent free of charge to all participants that fulfill the required number of contacts on each of the four categories (Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum). Petitioners who qualify on each category may request their award by E-mail for their personalized Diploma to the Award Manager EA5DM ea5dm@ure.es indicating their callsign. There is no need to send log, but SWLs must send a list. Due date to apply for the Award is March 15th, 2016. All Diplomas will be sent by E-mail free to petitioners who qualify. PLEASE NOTE: Special AAW station EG1PAA (WAP-273) will be operating from Arousa Island (EU-80). QSL via EA1GIB, direct or by the Bureau.

AH2, GUAM
Members of the Guam Contest Club will be active as AH2R during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as a Multi-Single entry. Operators mentioned are Atsuo/JE6HIB, Nozomu/JE8KKX (AH2K), Toshinobu/JI3ERV (NH2C) and Mikawa/JR7OMD. QSL via LoTW or to JH7QXJ, direct or by the Bureau. PLEASE DO NOT QSL via the KH2 Bureau.

C6, BAHAMAS (Canceled)
Chris, NX4N (C6AWW), had to cancel his ARRL DX CW Contest operation from Freeport, Bahamas (NA-080, Grid FL06qm), between February 16-23rd, due to "some family issues" that arised.

CW, URUGUAY (LH Op)
Members of the Radio Club Uruguayo will be active as CW1?C from the Fortaleza del Cerro lighthouse (?ARLHS URU-009, Grid SQ. GF15UC) between February 1?9?-?21st, during the International South American? Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend. Activity will be on 40-10 meters as well as 2 meters and 70 cm using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. They will have at least three stations on the air. QSL via CX1AA, by the Bureau or direct to: Radio Club Uruguayo, P.O. Box 37, 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay (w/SAE and one new IRC or 2 green stamps).

DU, PHILIPPINES (IOTA Op)
Bodo, DF8DX, is planning to activate three IOTA Groups in the Philippines during April. His tentative schedule is:
April 9-14th -- Palawan Island (OC-128); callsign DU1WQY/1
April 14-19th -- Mindanao Island (OC-130); callsign DU1WQY/8
April 19-24th -- Luzon Island (OC-042); callsign DU1WQY
Activity usually will be on 40-10 meters using 100 watts into a vertical antenna. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau, direct or LoTW.

E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS
Don, VE7AQA, will be active as E51AQA from Raro- Tonga Island (OC-013) between March 4-19th. Activity will be holiday style on the HF bands using SSB. QSL via VE7AQA.

ET, ETHIOPIA (Update)
\The Ukrainian operators continue to be active as ET7L from the INSA Radio Club in Mekanisa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Activity will be limited due to their work duties, but they are expected to be active for at least 2-4 months. Most of their activity has been on 30/17/15/12 meters using CW and SSB, but the operators are now active on 160/80/40 meters. Operators are members of UT7L Contest Club (Yarik/UW7LL and Andy/UR4LRQ). Logs will be uploaded daily on Clublog; OQRS will be later. LoTW, as usual, after the end of operation. QSL Manager is US0LW. The Web site is now up and running with updates and log search at:

FG, GUADELOUPE
Alex, IW5ELA, will be active as FG/IW5ELA from Pointe des Chateaux, St. Francois, between February 28th and March 9th. Activity will be holiday style on the HF bands using mainly CW with some SSB. His equip- ment will be a FT857 with 100w into a vertical antenna. Every contact will be confirmed by Bureau, no QSL required.

FG, GUADELOUPE
Philippe, F1DUZ, will be active as FG4KH from Guadeloupe (NA-102) between February 7th and March 30th (possibly beginning of April). Activity will be on all HF bands using SSB, with 2m EME EME on JT65B. QSL via his home callsign.

FH, MAYOTTE (DIFO Op)
Before and after his participation in the upcoming FT4JA Juan de Nova DXpedition, team member Gil, F4FET, will be active as FH/F4FET from Mayotte (AF-027) and a few of its DIFO islands in the lagoon on Mayotte between March 24-25th and April 15-21st. The DIFO islands mentioned are: Grande Terre Island (FH001), Petite Terre Island (FH002), Zamboro Island (new one, FH003) and Choisil Island (new one, FH004). Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters SSB using a K3 and a SPE Expert 1K3 into a 40-10m groundplane and a 1 element Quad for 12/10 meters. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau, direct or ClubLog's OQRS.
ADDED NOTE: Gill will also be active as F4FET/MM on his way to Juan de Nova between March 26-28th and April 12-14th.

FS & PJ7, ST. MARTIN AND ST. MARTEEN
Laurent, FM5BH, will be active as FS/FM5BH from Saint Martin (NA-199) and PJ7/FM5BH from Sint Marteen (NA-199) between May 1-8th. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters using mainly CW. QSL direct to FM5BH with 2 GS.

FY, FRENCH GUYANA
Larry, F6FVY, will be active as FY5KE in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as a Single-Op/Single-Band (20m)/High-Power entry. QSL via LoTW, by the REF Bureau or direct to FY5KE.

HI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Brian, ND3F, will be active as HI3/ND3F from Cabarete during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as a Single- Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry. QSL via his home callsign.

HV, VATICAN
Francesco, IK0FVC, the Team Leader of HV0A, seems to be showing up every Sunday around 1400-1630z on various bands and modes. This past Sunday he was on 20 meters RTTY and the week before on 17 meters SSB. QSL via IK0FVC (direct only) or LoTW.

IOTA NEWS
EU-080. See AAW 2016 above.

NA-219. John, KK4OYJ/C6ATS, announced on his Blog page that he will attempt to activate the rare Anguilla Keys, part of the Cay Sal Bank Group, possibly on Thursday. He will leave from Georgetown, Bahamas, on Tuesday, February 16th. He states that he will be on "20m or higher and as close to the IOTA frequencies." For more details and updates, watch his Blog at:

OC-022. Members of Lufthansa Amateur Radio Club (LARC) of Frankfurt will be active as YB9/homecall from Bali Island between February 22nd and March 2nd. Operators mentioned are Bernd/DK7TF, Bernd/ DF1FF and Jürgen/DH6ICE. This will be a 100w DXpedition, focusing on SSB and the Digital modes (JT65 including). QSL via DK8ZZ only (not via their homecall).

SA-045. [Edited Press Release] Renato Araujo, PY8WW, reports, "I am part of a team that is always on the air from different IOTAs in northern Brazil. We are planning an expedition probably in April 2016, the expedition will be to Maraca Island SA-045. Lately, Brazil is experiencing a severe economic crisis, where our currency is broadly undervalued against the dollar, imports of equipment has become highly expensive, our team is in need of band pass filters as the authorization of forest organ will be for a short time on the island, so we have to optimize two or three radio stations on the air at the same time. If you are interested in donating some filters please contact us. The filters needed are for the 10-15-20-40 bands. If you can get the message out to amateurs in America I would be very grateful."

J3, GRENADA
Bob, G3PJT, will once again be active as J34G from Grenada (NA-024, WLOTA 0718) between March 10-24th. Activity will be holiday style on 80-10 meters, mainly CW, using a K2 w/100 watts and vertical antennas. He plans to also be in the RSGB's Commonwealth Contest (March 12-13th). Look for him outside of the contest, especially on 80 and 30 meters. QSL via his home callsign.

J8, ST. VINCENT
Brian, GW4DVB, will once again be active as J88PI from Palm Island (aka Prune Island, WW Loc. FK92HO, IOTA NA-025), in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Island group, between April 12-22nd. Activity will be on 40/20/17/15/10/6 meters SSB only using an Elecraft KX3 and KXPA100 Power Amp (100w) into a 10m vertical antenna and a M0CVO HW-40HP off center fed dipole. QSL via GW4DVB, by the Bureau or direct to: PO Box 20:20, Llanharan, Pontyclun, Wales - UK CF72 9ZA. For more details and updates, check:

KP3, PUERTO RICO
Dan, N6MJ, will be active as KP3Z during the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. QSL via N4AO.

NEED KL7, VY1, VE8 OR VY0?
[edited] By the time you are reading this the 2016 NCDXA Worked All “RST” Stations special event is underway through March 27th! We’ll have HF covered from Alaska to all points east and north towards the North Pole! Look for rare and remote Ellesmere Island and Rankin Inlet in Nunavut, Pilot Station grade school in Alaska, a diamond mine in Northwest Territories, small villages and large northern cities including “wildcard rovers” from other remote areas including a glacier or two. Activity will be on all modes and most all HF bands. QSL via and LoTW. Check bios at QRZ.com for info and updates of KL7RST, VY1RST, VE8RST and VY0RST. QSL Manager K7ICE. Please spot us when you hear/work us...... 73, de “Yukon John” KL7JR
ADDED NOTE: Also read OPDX.1244 under "VY0, CANADA (Nunavut Territory On HF)" for more details.

P4, ARUBA
Operators Olli/DH8BQA, Andreas/DL5CW, Thomas/DL5LYM and Andi/ DL9USA are now active from Carl's, P49V (SK), "Cook's Radio Retreat" http://www.p49v.com on Aruba (SA-036). The operators were in this past weekend's CQ WPX RTTY Contest and are expected to be in the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st). The group is signing c. QSL via DH8BQA. Activity is to end in March.

PJ2, CURACAO
Operators John/K6AM and Jussi-Pekka/OH6RX will be active as PJ2T from the Caribbean Contesting Consortium's (CCC) Signal Point Station http://www.pj2t.org during the ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via W3HNK. The operators will probably sign PJ2/homecall outside of the contest because they have the station on the island between March 2-9th. Listen for QSL instructions.

PJ7, SINT MAARTENN
Joel, HB9EYA, will be active as PJ7/HB9EYA from Sint Maarten (NA-105) between March 27-31st. Activity will be QRP on 40/20/15/10 meters (in evenings) using a FT-817ND into a LDG Z-817 antenna autotuner and a "Gipsy Windcamp" portable dipole antenna (7-30 MHz). QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau or direct. NO eQSL.

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (February 15-21st)

 Feb/15th HN      Feb/18th  HN     Feb/20th  HN
 Feb/16th LN      Feb/19th  HN     Feb/21st  AN
 Feb/17th BN


   SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS/INDEXES AND GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
   ======================================================
    NORMALITY               GEOMAG       K Values    Alpha
   -----------------        ------       --------    ------
   AN  - Above Normal       Quiet        K=0-1       0-7
   HN  - High Normal        Unsettled    K=2         8-15
   LN  - Low Normal         Active       K=3         16-29
   BN  - Below Normal       Minor Storm  K=4         30-49
   DIS - Disturbed          Major Storm  K=5         50-99
   VRY DIS - Very Disturbed Severe Storm K=6-9       100-400

Also, checkout the VOACAP predication Web page at:

QSL INFO AND NEWS

  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX (February 14th) 
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3Z51PTM via SP7PTM      FS/KB9AVO via KB9AVO      SK70BG via SK3BG
  3Z90LKK via SP8PEF      FS/W3FF via W3FF (d)      SQ90LKK via SP5PWA
  4J90UD via DL6KVA       HI0UD via W2CCW           SV0XCA/5 via SV0XCA (d)
  4W/DJ2EH via DJ2EH      HI3/OK1RS via OK1RS       T88EU via DF9LJ
  5J0JC via VE2FDJ        KH6/G4KHG/M via G4KHG (e) TM2F via F4GTT
  5V7TH via ON6DX         KH6/VE7AHA via VE7AHA (d) TP30CE via F5LGF
  7P8C via F6KOP          LZ71ZZ via LZ1ZF          UE27AFG via RZ3QWW
  8S6A via SM6DPF         OO8O via ON8OO            UE73K via RT3W
  9K55NLD via 9K2NO       OR5T via ON4ALY           V5/DC8QT via DC8QT
  CR5U via CR7AJL         PA16CC via PA7HPH         V55DX via DO4DXA
  DL0DIX via DJ2AX        PA530ROT via PA0ABM       XP3A via PA3249 (d/L/e)
  DL60GAF via DH1BUZ      PA85SVS via PI4AMF*       YB0JS via W4JS
  E2X via E20GMY          PG16ANT via PA0RDY  ZS4TX/6 via ZS4TX (L)or K3FN (d)
  FS/K8EAB via K8EAB      PJ6/NM1Y via NM1Y (d/L)


    (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
    (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only    (*)   No QSL needed

QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: C37RC, DK4CF, E77DX, EG6RAY, FG4NN, HA5AGS, J69DS, JA6GCE, LA5SVA, M0HIX and ON4RO

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 3W3MD, CT9/MJ0AS, DS2GOO/2 (AS-090), DS2GOO/4 (AS-093), J6/K4ZGB, RT9K/0 (AS-203), TZ9A, YJ0AFU and ZD8W

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: 3W2MAE, 5B/DF6FR, 6K5BFZ, 7L4VHB, 9M2/JE1SCJ, 8J3A, 9G1HW, DM200TSV, DS2CYI, DS4QXF, DS5QLJ, HB0/DL4AAP/P, HB0/DK7DU, HL1OYF, HL2DNU, HL4CDQ, HL5FAM, HL15UG, HS0ZGV, HZ1DS, IS0BSR/IM0, IS0MVE, IC8/DM6WAN (EU-031), KT3Q/6 (NA-144), PJ2/DL1NX, PJ5/K6NAO, PR7AA, PR7CPK, PY2YU, SW3JH, TA0/DF8DX (AS-201), TF1AM, TF2LL, TF3AO, TF5B, TF8KY, TY2AB, SV0XAN/5, VA2LC, VC2M, VK9DLX, YB0MWM and ZA/IZ4ALM

RI1, ANTARCTICA
Mikhail, RW1AI, will be active as RI1AND from Novolazarev- skaya Base (AN-016, WAP RUS-09) between April 2016 and April 2017. Activity will be on the HF Bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via RW1AI.

T8, PALAU
Yuji, JF1DIR, will be active as T88IR from Koror Island (OC-009) between March 20-25th. Activity will be on 40-6 meters using CW and the Digital mode mainly. Yuji states he will not be on 12, 17, 80, 160m because of no antennas. His equipment will be a TS-2000 and FT-950 with a 500w amplifier into a 8 element Yagi for 6m, Tribander for 20-10m and a RDP for 40/30m. QSL via JF1DIR, by the Bureau or direct to: Yuji Hirose, 2512-6-302 Enzo Chigasaki-City, Kanagawa, JAPAN, 253-0084. Please DO NOT QSL T88IR via Bureau. Also QSL via LoTW and eQSL. ClubLog will be available for a log search, but not it's OQRS.

TI, COSTA RICA
Operators Robert/W4BW, Alex/W4XO, Eddie/K4UN, Keith/W4KTR, Juan Carlos/TI2JCY, Carlos/TI2KAC, Adrian/TI2LCO and Mauricio/TI4ZM will be active as TI5M from Alajuela during then ARRL DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as a Multi-Op entry. QSL via TI2KAC.

TI, COSTA RICA
Operators Kamal/N3KS, Andrius/LY7Z and Nathan/N4YDU will be active as TI5W from Alajuela during the ARRL International DX SSB Contest (March 5-6th) as a Multi-Single entry. QSL via N3YIM direct. The operators will be signing TI5/homecalls before and after the contest.

V3, BELIZE
Operators Robert/K5PI (V31AT) and John/WC0W (V31TP) will compete in the ARRL International DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as a Multi-Single/Low-Power entry from Cahal Pech in Western Belize. They will use V31TP for the contest callsign. Look for operations before and after the contest. They will focus on CW and on the 30/17/12 meter bands mostly. QSL to their home callsigns.

VK0EK DXPEDITION NEWS (Heard Island Expedition Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 2)
The current Heard Island Expedition Newsletter (Vol. 2, No. 2 -- dated February 11th) is now out. Individuals may have already received this because they subscribed to it, or they made a donation to the expedition, or they are a team member or a corporate sponsor, or Bob, KK6EK, just happens to know you and think you would like to have it. This issue goes to 1664 different people.

Bob also informs [edited], "There is no charge or obligation for this ­ we just want to help you make a QSO with VK0EK, or to collaborate in the scientific work. Future Newsletters will be issued now and then, when we have something to say, probably every few weeks. If you missed a previous Newsletter and would like to have a copy, you can find a link on p. 4 http://www.heardisland.org/HD_pages/HD_newsletter_back_issues.html to download the back issue.

PLEASE NOTE: This Newsletter comes in a slightly different format. Depending on your browser and printer, it may have a narrow break in between pages 2 and 3. To get a complete (break-free) image, you could do the following:

1. Download page from your browser to your desktop or a folder. It will be a PDF file.
2. Open the PDF file (typically by double-clicking)
3. On the main menu of your PDF viewer: 3.1 Select View/Page Display/
3.2 Select Two-page scrolling
3.3 Select Show Cover Page in Two-Page View
4. Now You can view it full-screen without the break using the Page Up and Page Down keys
5. Depending on your printer, the printed image may still have a break in between pages 2 and 3. Sorry!

The expedition is scheduled to begin in early March 2016, and end in late April. You can see the current status of the project on the main website www.heardisland.org, and on the blogsite . I hope you like this Newsletter and find it useful. If you have sugges- tions, comments, subjects you would like to see addressed, etc., or wish to be removed from the distribution list, please write to me.....
Bob, KK6EK -- Organizer/Expedition Leader"

For more details on the mailing list for the newsletter, go to:

VK9, NORFOLK ISLAND
Paul, VK5PAS, will be active as VK9PAS from Norfolk Island (OC-005) between May 23-30th. Activity will be limited and holiday style on the HF bands because he will be attending the Wireless Institute of Australia's (WIA) Annual General Meeting. QSL via M0OXO, direct, by the Bureau, OQRS, LoTW or eQSL.

VP2M, MONTSERRAT (Update/Reminder)
Operators Scott/NE9U and Ron/KK9K will be active as VP2MWA and VP2MRF, respectively from Montserrat Island (NA-103) between February 16-23rd. Activity will be on CW, SSB and RTTY. They will be using VP2MWA during the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 20-21st) as a Multi-? entry. QSL VP2MWA via NE9U, direct or by LoTW. QSL VP2MRF via KK9K direct.

VP5/VQ5E, TURKS AND CAICOS
Operators Clint/W9AV and Quent/W6RI will be active as VP5/W9AV and VP5/W6RI from Providenciales Island (NA-002) between March 23-29th. Activity will include the CQWW WPX SSB Contest (March 26-27th). All QSOs will be uploaded to LoTW. Requests for paper cards should go to W6RI and should include an SASE or IRC. Note that Turks & Caicos does not have a QSL Bureau and that cards sent there will be discarded.

VP8, FALKLAND ISLANDS
Gerard, G3WIP/VK4BGL, will be active as VP8PDP from Falkland Islands (SA-002) between February 15th and April 1st. He will be there working as a doctor. Activity will be limited when he is not working. Watch for operations on 20/17/15/10 meters using a FT-897D. QSL via G3WIP by the RSGB Bureau.

VP8, FALKLAND ISLANDS
The VP8STI/VP8SGI team is now on the Falkland Islands (SA-002) as February 12th. David, K3LP, was heard signing as VP8DRC on 20m SSB February 12-13th. As this was being written, the team is expected to hit the air waves sometime late Sunday or Monday as VP8IDX. It was reported on Thursday that they would operate for a week as VP8IDX with simple antennas but aren't planning on unloading and setting up all the DXpedition antennas and equipment used on S. Sandwich and S. Georgia. The word is that they plan to focus on 160 and 80 meters. QSL VP8IDX via N2OO direct, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW.

VP8SGI SOUTH GEORGIA ISLAND DXPEDITION WRAP-UP
Members of the Intrepid-DX Group went QRT as VP8SGI from South Georgia Island and went back to the Braveheart for security reasons due to a big storm last Sunday morning February 7th. After the storm calmed down, the VP8SGI team was able to go back to Husvik Bay and collect all their gear during the Sunday after- noon. Reports indicate that David, K3LP, stated, "Weather on South Georgia was terrible with winds up to 100 mph near the end." The team has left the South Georgia Island area and is now active from the Falkland Islands (see details above).

The full VP8SGI log was uploaded and the OQRS was turned on. For VP8SGI log inquiries please contact KU9C at: vp8sgi_logresearch@yahoo.com QSL VP8SGI via KU9C, ClubLog's OQRS or LoTW. As this was being written, the VP8SGI's final statistics are 82847 QSOs with 21620 Unique callsigns per ClubLog as of 0741z, February 7th:

South Georgia Island (page 1): Landfall and King Edward Cove
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/south-georgia-1.php
South Georgia Island (page 2): Shackleton and Ocean Harbour
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/south-georgia-2.php
South Georgia Island (page 3): Cooper Bay and Drygalski Fjord
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/south-georgia-3.php
South Georgia Island (page 4): Gold Harbour
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/south-georgia-4.php
South Georgia Island (page 5): Cobblers Cove and Cumberland West Bay
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/south-georgia-5.php
South Georgia Island (page 6): Husvik and Leith Harbour
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/south-georgia-6.php
South Georgia Island (page 7): Blue Whale Harbour, Prince Olav, and Salisbury Plain
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/south-georgia-7.php
South Georgia Island (page 8): Albatross Island and Right Whale Bay
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/south-georgia-8.php
South Georgia Island (page 9): Elsehul and return to the Falklands
http://www.petersmith.net.nz/photos/south-georgia-9.php

W7, UNITED STATES (National Parks Activation via the Birds)
Doc, WA7HQD, states, "I will be operating satellites SO-50 and FO-29 from DM29 in eastern Nevada on February 21-23rd. Please check out my QRZ.com page for details."

XW, LAOS
hamp, E21EIC, is once again active as XW1IC (ex-XW0YJY) since February 12th, from Vientiane until February 16th. Activity included an entry in this past weekend's CQ WPX RTTY Contest. QSLs must be requested via the OQRS on ClubLog or via E21EIC and LoTW. NO PAPER QSL IS NEEDED.

XW, LAOS
Makoto, JA7FGI, will be active as XW7FG from Vientiane between March 29th and April 4th. Activity will be on 80-6 meters using SSB, RTTY and possibly PSK31. There will be a focus on the high bands. QSL via JA7FGI, by the Bureau or eQSL.

XZ, MYANMAR (Press Release). Update on plans for Myanmar IOTA Dxpedition 2016
The original proposed dates for this Dxpedition were Feb/March or April/May. Since the original announcement there has been a general election in Myanmar and the new government will be installed in March. Licensing will be delayed until the new administration completes the transition.

We are in touch with the authorities. Our documents are with the ad- ministration. We have good liaison and we have in territory help to monitor and progress our license application.

The DXpedition will be delayed until after the summer period to allow plenty of time for licensing and for HF conditions to be as favorable as possible.

Derek/G3KHZ, Hans/SM6CVX, Nils/SM6CAS, Ulrika/SM7WYN and Eddy/K5WQG

Z3, MACEDONIA
The DXNL reports that the Radioamateur Society of Macedonia (RSM) will celebrate Valentine's Day on the air until the 21st with the special callsign Z34LOVE. QSL via Z37RSM or eQSL.

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OPDX WORLD-WIDE WEB HOME (provided by John, K8YSE (k8yse@papays.com):
http://www.papays.com/opdx.html

ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB HOME PAGE:
http://www.nodxa.org
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